Page 27 of When a Rogue Falls
Bridget shook her head. “I think you know as well as I do, your grace, that Sir Stephen Moore considers himself not to be the marrying kind.”
The duchess softly chuckled. “So do all men before they succumb to cupid’s arrows. Trust me, even rogues like Stephen eventually fall.”
Chapter Seventeen
After leaving Redditch House, Bridget and Stephen walked the short distance from Grosvenor Street to Bond Street arm in arm. It was a warm day; the sun was shining. With Stephen beside her, Bridget found herself indulging in a private fantasy that they were husband and wife out for their regular morning stroll.
When he leaned in and smiled at her, Bridget’s heart skipped a beat. The Duchess of Redditch’s comment about Stephen eventually succumbing to marriage kept rolling around in her head.
Why couldn’t I have married a man like you? You would have made a far better husband than Rupert.
If it were not for the heavily pregnant woman and small boy who suddenly appeared in front of them from out of a bookshop, she would have happily continued with her musings of a life that could never be.
“Sir Stephen,” the boy hailed him.
Stephen turned to Bridget. “Toby and Lady Alice Steele.”
Bridget caught the look of joy on the young lad’s face. He was clearly not intimated by the size difference between him and Stephen.
Small children like you.
Despite his attempts to pretend he didn’t care, the grin on Stephen’s lips gave him away. The boy was important to him.
“Lady Alice Steele, may I present Lady Bridget Dyson,” said Stephen.
Alice narrowed her eyes at him. “Isn’t that supposed to be the other way around? Bridget was born a lady, whereas I only have my title due to marriage.”
Bridget chortled. Someone had been studying their social etiquette guide. She held out a hand to Alice. “I think you might be the more senior on account of being married to the son of a duke, whereas . . . oh, never mind. It is a pleasure to meet you. Lady Naomi has told me so much about the lovely girl her brother had the good fortune to wed.”
“And good sense,” replied Alice.
Toby let go of Alice’s hand and rushed over to Stephen. He held out a brown paper parcel tied up with string. He buzzed with excitement. “Lady Alice bought me books with pictures in them. Will you read them to me tonight? Please?”
Stephen nodded. “As long as you have practiced your letters, we can read the book.”
Alice slipped a second parcel out from under her arm and handed it to Stephen.
“We also got Toby some more clothes. His new boots are on order for the end of the week. I shall let you and Harry settle up the matter of the accounts.”
A rosy patch appeared on Stephen’s cheeks. “What would I do without you Alice?”
“I would walk about town naked and barefoot,” replied the boy.
Bridget stared at her boots, doing her best not to laugh. Clearly Toby had heard that remark from someone, and it wouldn’t take much to guess who.
Stephen muttered something under his breath. Alice stepped forward and put a hand on his arm. “Sorry, I didn’t realize he had picked up on that. I will watch my tongue around him in the future.”
“You are right. I could not even begin to consider myself a passable guardian. I promise, here in front of an independent witness, that I shall make an extra effort to be more observant of Toby’s needs,” he replied.
“Noted,” said Bridget.
The young boy clearly thought the world of Stephen. And as far as Bridget was concerned, any encouragement that she could offer to make sure that the affection was reciprocated would be well worth her time.
He is not as bad as he thinks. If he was, Toby wouldn’t be so keen to have his approval.
“Are you headed home?” asked Alice.
Stephen glanced over at Bridget. “No, we have an appointment to attend. Lady Bridget and I are on company business.”
